Microeconomics ECO 210
Thomas Kirkland
Monopoly
A Board Game or The E-book Industry?
Our society has slowly begun a paradigm shift away from brick-and-mortar stores as well as hardcopies of any material related to paper. We can see this trend in effect today as smart phones, smart tablets and online sales become more and more abundant in everyday life. The transition to this technology based lifestyle has already changed the driving factors of retailing industries and consumer patterns. Many big box stores have developed strategies to claim their market share in the online world as to not be left behind. Amazon and Apple have long since claimed their piece of the pie in this online world by offering streaming services, E-books and a platform for Ecommerce. One of the most recent ripples in the tide pool of retailer competition was their brief but successful attempts at monopolizing the industry of E-books.
This attempt was thwarted by a
…show more content…
Nearly every college course requires a textbook as a necessity for attending and passing class. The launch of text books into the world of E-books has been beneficial to the student in many ways. Students are now opting for e-books as a means to reduce the overall cost of their education. Online textbooks are relatively cheaper than their hard print counterparts and offer a multitude of resources within which are not typically found in a traditional textbook. These additional resources can include instant access to flashcards, practice chapter quizzes and activities intended to aid the student in learning the material. This shift in the textbook world has caused many bookstores to change the goods and services they offer. Compare a campus bookstore from 10 years ago to one in current times and you will see more laptops, school merchandise and study areas available than actual